Freelancer Financials clinches Contracting Awards’ hat-trick

Pinner, London – 14 November 2025
~We have a special announcement to make about our specialist contractor brand, Freelancer Financials. Once again, they’ve secured the “Best Contractor Mortgage Provider or Broker” award. Announced at the 2025 Contracting Awards, this win makes for an unprecedented hat-trick, and the fourth time in all.

The victory marks a historic achievement for the Pinner-based mortgage brokerage. Freelancer Financials has now won this prestigious accolade twice as many times as any other firm.

Setting new standards in contractor mortgages

The Contracting Awards have grown significantly since the launch of the mortgage and protection category in 2019. Then, there were only three entrants. This time, Freelancer Financials had to compete against four other firms.

The heightened competition makes this latest victory particularly significant for the Mortgage Quest family. Especially as it comes on top of them maintaining their position as top-performing mortgage broker in the Mortgage Intelligence Awards. That makes it 11 years straight in those particular awards.

Thr Freelancer Financials’ difference

The official winners’ announcement on the Contracting Awards website highlighted several key factors in the judges’ decision. The panel specifically praised three innovative services launched by the firm to enhance the contractor mortgage experience:

1. A groundbreaking mortgage Rate Monitoring Service:

This service allows clients to lock in competitive deals up to six months ahead of their current mortgage term ending. Or, should rates drop within that period, clients can switch to that lower rate as they become available.

2. The UK’s first contractor-specific mortgage comparison tool:

This advanced search engine provides real-time access to deals from only contractor-friendly lenders. All results are detailed, transparent, and in an easy-to-use format.

3. A comprehensive online database of contractor-friendly lender criteria:

All the contractor-friendly mortgage lenders’ criteria in one place. These offer unparalleled detail on which lenders understand self-employed income of all types. Moreover, each lender’s criteria page breaks down how they assess applications.

Beyond awards: a year of strategic growth

This third Contracting Awards accolade represents a significant milestone. But the achievement reflects a broader transformation taking place across the Mortgage Quest group.

This year, Freelancer Financials completed a comprehensive rebrand and website redesign. Moving forward from a contractor-centric outlook, the site is an accessible and informative platform for the UK’s flexible workforce.

Its reach now serves the entire spectrum of self-employed workers. From CIS workers to agency staff, zero-hours contractors to umbrella company employees, everyone is welcome.

Strategic partnerships have played a crucial role in this expansion. Recent collaborations include a partnership with fintech app ANNA Money. This has added breadth to an already impressive roster of industry relationships.

This multi-channel approach has bolstered Freelancer Financials’ visibility. The firm is moving beyond digital customer acquisition alone while maintaining its strong online presence.

Industry recognition and sponsorship

The evening held particular significance for Freelancer Financials. ContractorUK, a long-standing content partner of theirs, sponsored the “Best Contractor Mortgage Provider or Broker” category. Founder John Yerou contributes extensively to ContractorUK’s Money section. His mortgage guidance and market insights have reached thousands of contractors across the UK.

But it’s not all ‘take’. Freelancer Financials has a responsibility to support the wider contractor ecosystem. To that end, they sponsored the “Best Contractor Accountancy (500 – 1,000 Clients)” category.

That award went to ICS Accounting. Key here is that ICS’s client base overlaps significantly with Freelancer Financials’ customer demographic, including:

• Healthcare workers,
• Engineers,
• Architects, and
• Oil & gas contractors

Several of Freelancer Financials’ partner organisations also celebrated success at the ceremony:

• Qdos won the “Best Legal, Compliance or Tax Provider” award
• FCSA won the “Best Supplier To The Contracting Industry” award

Plenty of cause for celebration, all ’round!

The Mortgage Quest commitment

The win reflects our broader philosophy of combining authoritative expertise with accessible service. As the parent company, we oversee both the Freelancer Financials and Mortgage Quest mainstream brands.

We’ve built our reputation on understanding the unique challenges faced by different client segments. Once understood, we look for the pain points and develop tailored solutions for each. And, with the current workforce diversity, there’ll be many more challenges ahead.

Looking ahead

With this hat-trick secured, Freelancer Financials shows no signs of slowing down. They have indicated plans to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new alliances next year.

Their aim? To turn industry potential into tangible action.

The team is already looking ahead to the 2026 Contracting Awards. With what’s in the pipeline, an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory is definitely on the to-do list.

The contractor mortgage market continues to evolve. Ongoing uncertainty around IR35 regulations and fluctuating lender criteria provide dynamic goalposts. Freelancer Financials’ track record of innovation positions it well to maintain its leadership role whilst addressing those challenges.

The firm combines deep market knowledge, technological innovation, and genuine commitment to the contractor community. These traits have established it as the go-to specialist for flexible workers seeking mortgage advice.

About Mortgage Quest Ltd

Mortgage Quest Ltd is an award-winning, independent mortgage brokerage based in Pinner, London. Established in 2004 by John Yerou, the company operates two complementary brands:

• Mortgage Quest (us), serving all mortgage applicants regardless of employment status, and
• Freelancer Financials, specialising exclusively in mortgages and protection for contractors, freelancers, and the self-employed

The firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA registration number 312484).

They have built a reputation for securing mortgages for clients with complex or non-traditional income structures. Today, they welcome all mortgage applicants, including PAYE part- and full-time employees.

About Freelancer Financials

Freelancer Financials operates as a trading name of Mortgage Quest Ltd. It is the UK’s leading specialist mortgage broker for contractors, freelancers, and flexible workers. They focus exclusively on maximising mortgage affordability for clients with contract-based or variable income streams.

The firm has pioneered several industry-first services. This includes the UK’s first contractor mortgage comparison tool and a comprehensive contractor-friendly lender criteria database. They serve diverse sectors, including (but not limited to):

• IT professionals,
• CIS workers,
• Healthcare contractors,
• Oil & Gas subcontractors, and
• Umbrella company employees

Media contact

For media enquiries, interviews, or additional information:

Mortgage Quest Ltd
 Avondale House
 262 Uxbridge Road
 Hatch End, Pinner
 Middlesex
 HA5 4HS

Telephone: 0208-421-7998

Websites:

• Mortgage Quest: https://mortgagequest.co.uk
• Freelancer Financials: https://www.freelancerfinancials.co.uk

Editor’s Notes:

• The Contracting Awards recognises excellence across the UK contracting industry. It celebrates companies and individuals who support the contractor workforce
• Freelancer Financials has been awarded “Best Contractor Mortgage Provider or Broker” in 2020, 2023, 2024, and 2025
• Mortgage Quest Ltd and Freelancer Financials are based in Pinner, North West London, and serve clients throughout the UK
• All images and additional information are available upon request

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Author: John Yerou

John Yerou is the owner and founder of the award-winning Mortgage Quest Ltd and its subsidiary brands.

In 2004, John began his career in financial services as an independent mortgage advisor and broker. He's since been instrumental in negotiating bespoke mortgage underwriting criteria for professional contractors with many high street lenders.

As such, John's one of the most respected and recognisable names in securing mortgages for the UK's flexible workforce, incorporating independent professionals and the self-employed.

His recognition as the go-to mortgage expert has grown exponentially, reflected in citations and his own publications in both national and contractor-oriented press.

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